Door operator for dump wagons



June 1 1943.

J. KUCI-IIAR 2,320,701

DOOR OPERATOR FOR DUMP WAGONS Original Filed Sept. 13, 1934 a Sheets-Sheet 1 fi we niof- 7 fade .213 kKcZc/Scy y 05 4444 @5144: I $4264. /z f'zlfys.

June 1, 1943. J KUCHAR 2,320,701

DOOR OPERATOR FOR DUMP WAGONS Original Filed Sept. 15, 1954 s Sheets-Sheet 2 June 1, 1943. J, KUCHAR DOOR OPERATOR FOR DUMP WAGONS Original Filed Sept. 13, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 I55 i ,mwl w June 1, 1943. J, KUCH R 2,320,701

DOOR OPERATOR FOR. DUMP WAGONS Original Filed Sept. 15, 1934 e Sheets-Sheet 4 WW6 Xacfiar June 1, 1943.. J. KUCHAR DOOR OPERATOR FOR DUMP WAGONS I u 5 t u 09 @WN 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 June 1, 1943. .1. KUCHAR DOOR OPERATOR FQR DUMP WAGONS Original Filed Sept. 13, 1934 s Sheets-Sheet e Patented June 1, 1943 iJNl'iED stares rarest m DOOR GPERATGR FOR DUNE? WAGONS Joseph Kuchar, Chicago, 111., assignor to Athey Truss Wheel Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application September 13, 1934, Serial. No. 743,792 Renewed April 6, 1938 35 Claims.

heavy and considerable effort is needed to raise them again to load-carrying position.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved door operator of this kind.

A further object of the invention is to provide a door operator in which the operative parts are exclusively mounted on the trailer.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved door operator which will be automatically operated by the mere moving of the wagon, to close the doors, which is provided with means whereby the doors are held closed and the door operator is rendered inoperative until it is again released to open the doors.

A further object of the invention is to provide a door operator having actuating means driven from the wheels, said operator being automatically rendered inactive when the doors are closed.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic door operator in which only relatively small surfaces need to be accurately machined to attain efiicient operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a door operator for wagons having a reciprocating mechanism driven by contact from a Wagon wheel, said operator comprising automatic means for disconnecting the drive when the doors are closed, for preparing the operator for the next door opening and dumping operation, and for terminating the reciprocating movement of said mechanism.

Other objects, advantages and capabilities of the invention will appear from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a Wagon embodying my invention, the draft appliance of the trailer or Wagon being broken away;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the wagon or trailer shown in Fig. 1, part of one of the wheels being broken away for the sake of clearness;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view showing the windup mechanism and associated parts, on a larger scale, one end of the mechanism being shown in section;

Fig. 4 is a. sectional detail View taken on the line 44 of Fig.3;

Fig. 5 is a similar, more fragmentary view, showing a different relation of parts;

Fig. 6 is a sectional fragmentary plan view taken on the line 65 of Fig. 3 and on a larger scale; 7

Fig. 7 is a sectional detail view through the clutch mechanism, taken on the line '|i of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a similar view showing the clutch mechanism in a different position;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view, on a larger scale, taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 3; Fig. 10 is a plan detail view taken on the line l0l0 of Fig.3;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the clutch latch element dismounted from the machine;

Fig. 12 is a sectional detail View showing the manner in which the eccentric drive element is secured to one of the wheels; 7

Fig. 13 is an elevational view, partly in section showing a modified embodiment of my windup mechanism, which is adapted to render the reciprocating-drive elements stationary after the doors are closed;

Fig. 14 is a'transverse sectional view therethrough taken on the line MI4 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a similar View showing the parts in the different relation;

Fig. 16 is a sectional view taken on the line l5-l6 ofFig, 13;

Fig. 17 is a similar View showing the parts in a different relation;

Fig. 18 is a sectional view taken on the line l8l8of Fig. 13; v

Fig. 19 is a diagrammatic view showing the manner in which the two plun'gers cooperate, and

Fig. 20 is a sectional detail view taken on the line 20.20 of Fig. 15. Y

Referring to Figs. 1 to 12, the reference numeral 20 designates the wagon body which is equipped with bottom doors 2i which are pivoted to the body along their outer sides and are adapted tofall downwardly into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 so as to dump the load. The inner meeting edges ofthe doors 2| carry pulleys 22 over which passes a cable 23. The central portion of the cable 23 passes over a-pulley 24 at the forward end of the wagon, while the ends of the cable are secured to a drum 25 mounted on the opposite end ofthe' wagon.

The wagon body is supported on track layingwheels 26 by means of brackets 21 and stub axles 23 carried by these brackets. Each track laying wheel 26 comprises a rocker beam 29 pivotally mounted on the stub axle 28. The rocker beam, at its forward and rearward ends, carries stub axles 30 which project outwardly from the beam in both directions. On these axles 30 are mounted four-wheel elements 3| which are adapted to receive the flexible track 32. These wheel elements 3i ride on the track 32 in the movement of the wagon over the ground. The tracks 32 are normally provided with means which render them rigid against bending in one direction, while permitting them to bend freely in the opposite direction, and the track is so arranged that the horizontal or slightly bowed portion beneath and between the wheel elements 3! is in the form of an inverted bridge so that the weight of the wagon and its load is distributed by this rigid length of track over a substantial surface. Such track laying wheels are well known in the art and it is not necessary to describe them in any considerable detail. The present description has been made suificiently complete to indicate that the whole track wheel 26 has a pivotal relation to the central stub axle 28 and, consequently, the means provided for Winding up the axle by power derived from the wheels must provide for rocking of the beam The drum 25, to which the ends of the cable and carries rigidly a ratchet wheel 36. On each side of the ratchet wheel 36 the trunnion passes through forked ends of a hand lever 31,

these forked ends being provided with elongated openings, as best shown in Fig. 3. These elongated openings permit a certain amount of radial movement of the hand lever 3'! and this movement enables a tooth 38 which extends between the forked ends of the lever 31, to be brought into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 36, for the purpose of rotating the drum 25 by hand. In the manual operation, the hand lever 31 is raised to a horizontal or higher position and it is moved so as to bring the tooth 38 into engagement with the appropriate tooth of the ratchet wheel 36. The lever 31 is then forced downwardly in the clockwise direction, as

viewed in Figs. 4 or 5. A pawl 39 is provided which normally engages the teeth of the ratchet wheel 36 and prevents the doors from opening until the pawl 39 is released. The pawl 39 is pivotally mounted in a heavy frame 40. The frame 40 is rigidly secured upon a shaft 4| which is pivotally mounted in bosses on a bracket 42 mounted on the channel 34. The shaft 4| extends across the drum 25 and is supported at the other end of the this drum by a bracket 43,

also mounted on the channel 34. Beyond the bracket 43 the shaft 4| has rigidly mounted thereon an arm 44 which is directed away from the channel 34, as shown in Figs. '7 and 8. The arm 44 carries at its outermost end a button 45 which is normally projected beyond the arm 44 by means of a spring 46. The compression 'of this spring can readily be adjusted by means the arm 44. The purpose of the button 45 will hereinafter be more fully described.

The frame 40 is provided with a weight 48 of substantial size which, being located a substan tial distance from the axis of the frame, normally holds the frame down with the pawl 39 in co- 7 operative relation with the ratchet wheel 36. The

lit)

of a nut 41 threadedly mounted in the end of 75 frame 40 is also provided with a downwardly directed handle 49 whereby it may be elevated for the purpose of elevating the pawl 39 to enable the load to be dumped. Means are preferably provided whereby this elevation of the frame 43 can be accomplished from a remote position, for example, from the seat of a tractor to which the wagon may be hitched. For this purpose I provide a lanyard 50 which is secured to the lower end of a lever 5| pivotally mounted on the front end of the wagon. This lever is preferably located at the center of the wagon and it is rigidly secured to a shaft 52 which is also provided with a small arm 53 adjacent one side of the wagon, being the lefthand side, as viewed in Fig. 2. The arm 53 has secured thereto a rod or cable 54 which may suitably pass through openings in the reinforcing angles on the outside of the wagon. The rod or link 54 is pivotally connected to an arm 55 at the rear of the wagon. This arm 55 is rigidly mounted on a shaft 56 which is rotatably supported in brackets 51 and 58. The bracket 57 is mounted on the wagon body near the lefthand side thereof, as viewed in Fig. 2. The bracket 58 is mounted on the channel 34 adjacent the frame 40. Near the bracket 58 the shaft 56 rigidly carries an arm 59 which projects outwardly from the channel 34. Thea-rm 59 is connected to the frame 40 by a link 69. It will readily be understood that when the lanyard 50 is pulled forwardly, the rod or cable 54 is moved forwardly and the shaft 56 is rotated in counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 4 and 5. As a result of this rotation the frame 49 will be elevated with the same result as if it had been elevated by the handle 49.

When the doors are closed and the wagon is loaded, the pawl 39 and frame 40 are in the relation shown in Fig. 4, the nOse of the pawl 39 engaging an appropriate tooth of the ratchet 36 to prevent the drum 25 being rotated by the tension imposed on the cables 23 by the load. When the frame 40 is elevated in either of the manners indicated above, the pivot of the pawl 39 is elevated until the nose of the pawl is carried through by the ratchet wheel 36 into the position shown in Fig. 5. When this occurs the doors open rapidly, unwinding suflicient cable 23 from the drum 25 to enable the doors to move into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. The pawl 39 remains in the carried-through position and its back or normally upper surface rests upon the ends of the teeth of the ratchet wheel 36 so that the frame is maintained in a somewhat higher position than that shown in Fig. 4. The button 45 moves with the frame 40 and its location at any particular time will depend upon the position of the frame 40. Thus, with reference to Fig. 8, three positions of the button 45 are shown. The lowest position corresponds to the load-holding position of the frame 40 and pawl 39 shown in Fig. 4. The uppermost position shows the highest point to which the button is elevated when the frame 40 is raised in either of the two methods described. The intermediate position is the position corresponding to the carriedthrough condition of the paw1'39 and it will be noted that this position is somewhat higher than the lowest position. In fact, with reference to Fig. 8, it will be noted that in the lowest position the button 45 is below the rib 6! of the clutch latch element 62, whereas the intermediate position of the button 45 is above this rib. As shown in Fig. 3, the button 45 normally projects into position so that it contacts with the rib 61 when it is moved between its lowermost and intermediate positions. As will hereinafter be described in greater detail, the button 45 is adapted to pass the rib 6| in one direction and in the other direction to engage the rib 6i operatively and move the latch element 62. The latch 62 forms part of the power windup mechanism which will now be described.

The righthand trunnion of the drum 25, as viewed in Fig. 3, is extended beyond its bearing bracket 33 and has splined thereon a ratchet wheel 63, the teeth of which are directed in the same direction as the tooth of the ratchet wheel 36, both being intended for windin up the drum 25. The ratchet wheel 63 is located within a housing 64 which is mounted on the trunnion of the drum 25 so that it can be freely oscillated thereon. The housing 64 is shown in section in Figs. '7 and 8 and it will be seen therein that it is substantially pear-shaped in configuration and that it is open around the edge for a substantial distance. On its outer face the housing 64 is provided with three bosses 65 arranged in equilateral relation and these bosses receive pins 66 carried on a driving plate 61. The driving plate 6! is carried on the end of a shaft 68 which is carried by a bearing bracket 68 mounted on the end of the wagon. The collar '18 rigidly mounted on the shaft 68 prevents withdrawal of the pins 66 from the openings in the bosses 65 without dismounting the bearing bracket 69 from the wagon body. Beyond the bearing bracket 68 the shaft 68 has keyed thereon an arm ll which extends downwardly and outwardly beyond the adjacent side wall of the wagon body, terminating in alignment with the angular supports 12 which reinforce the side of the body.

A rod 13 extends through openings in these supports 12 to a point near the front of the track laying wheel 26 on the righthand side of the wagon, as viewed in Fig. 2. This rod is there pivotally connected to a lever 14 which is pivotally mounted by means of a suitable bracket on the side wall of the wagon body. The upper end of the lever 14 is connected to a link which extend rearwardly and is connected to the upper end of a lever 16 which extends downwardly near the hub of the innermost forward wheel element 3|. The lever 16 is pivotally mounted on the wagon body at an intermediate point, a suitable casting I! being provided for that purpose. The lower end of the lever 16 engages an eccentric or cam formation on the hub of the wheel element 3| referred to. This eccentric or cam formation may suitably be provided as an annular member 78 eccentrically located on a hub cap 19 which is conformed to accommodate the spokes of the wheel element 3i, to which it is secured by bolts. An annular wear element 80 is preferably mounted on the annular member '18 and is secured thereon by means of a Washer 8|. The rod '13 is biased in the rearward direction by means of a collar 62 thereon and a coil spring 83 which bears against one of the angle members 12. The function of this spring is to cause the lever 16 to follow the cam or eccentric l8 and to cause the housing 64 to move into the position shown in Fig. '1. It will readily be seen that when the wagon is moved, the cam or eccentric l8 acting upon the lever 16 causes the housing 64 to oscillate continuously from the position shown in Fig. '7 to the position shown in Fig. 8 and vice versa.

Within the housing 64 is located a dog 84 which is pivotally mounted on a pin 85 extending between the side walls of the housing. The dog 84 is provided with a tooth 86 which is adapted to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel 63 so as to cause the same to rotate in the counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 8. As best shown in Fig. 8, the relation of the center of the pivoting pin 85 to the effective contactingfaces of a tooth 86 and the tooth of the ratchet wheel 63 with which it is engaged, is such that there is a component of force acting in the direction of the arrow 81 tending to move the dog out of engagement with the ratchet wheel. This tendency is opposed by a coil spring 88 which engages a projection 89 on the dog 84 and also a projection 80 on a bolt 9| threadedly mounted in the housing 64. It will readily be understood that when the bolt 9| is rotated in either direction, the compression force applied by the spring 88 upon the dog 84 is adjusted one way or the other. A nut 82 is provided so as to lock the bolt 8| in desired position of adjustment. With this arrangement it will readily be seen that the oscillation of the housing will effect a progressive engagement of the dog 84 with the tooth of the ratch wheel 63, and the result will be the rotation of the drum 25 and the winding of the cable 23 upon the drum, thereby closing the doors. When, however, the doors are closed the opposition to the actuation of the ratchet wheel 63 by the dog 84 will become very great and the dog 84 will slip out of engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 63 owing to the operation of the component of the force acting in the direction indicated by the arrow 81.

It will be understood that as the drum 25 is progressively rotated to wind up the cable 23, the ratchet wheel 36 will move freely past the pawl 39. This pawl will hold the drum wound while the dog 84 slips back over the teeth of the ratchet 63 during the clockwise movement of the housing 64, as viewed in Fig. 8. When the dog 84 is moved outwardly from the teeth of the ratchet wheel 63, as the result of the overload applied thereto when the doors have closed, a tooth 83 carried by the element 62 will be displaced by the nose 94 of the dog 84 so that the nose 94 may pass the tooth 93 and become engaged thereby in the manner shown in Fig. 7. The latch 62, by its tooth 93, will hold the dog 84 out of contact with the ratchet wheel 63 until the latch is again released in the manner hereinafter described. As a consequence of the latching of the dog 84, the device operates to close the doors by power derived from the cam or eccentric 18 on the track laying wheels, this closing being accomplished by the oscillation of the housing 64. When, however, the doors are closed and the dog 84 is latched out of contact with the ratchet wheel 63', the movement of the wagon continues to oscillate the housing 64 without the application of any force upon the drum 25.

The latch element 62 will now be described in greater detail. The latch element comprises a boss portion 95 which is adapted to enter between the opposit walls of the housing 64, which walls support a pivot pin 96 upon which the latch member is mounted. Contiguous to the boss 95 and, of course, integral therewith-is the main body 91 of the latch element which carries at its lower end the tooth 93 previously referred to. This main body 91 has secured thereto, by means of a bolt 98, a rod 99 which is normally pulled downwardly by means of a spring I00. 3

This spring is compressed betwen a spring housin IdI carried by the main housing 64 and a washer I62 mounted on the rod 89 in adjusted po sition by means 'of nuts I83. The bolt 98 is mounted ona portion of the main body 91 which projects laterally beyond one side of the housing, being that side of the housing on which is located the arm 44 and button 45. This laterally projecting portion of the body 91 carries an elongated web or tail piece I84 upon which the rib BI previously referred to is formed. It may here be noted that the rib Si is relatively long so that it lies in the path of abutton 45 irrespective of the position of the housing 64. The rib 6| in the nor-. mal latching position of the latch member 62 is preferably substantially concentric with the drum so that the button will engage the rib 6| at the same point of movement of thearm 44, ir-

respective of the position in which the housing 64 is left by the stopping of the arm for dumping.

The manner in which the doors are automatically closed will readily be understood from the foregoing description. It now remains to describe the manner in which dumping is effected. The normal condition of the elements when the load is about to be dumped is shown in Fig. 7, that is, the dog 34 is out of contact with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 63, being held in the position shown in Fig. 7 by the latch element 62. The button 45 is in its lowermost position, being thatshown in Fig. '7. When it is desired to dump the load, the frame 48 is elevated in either of the two ways described, and the pawl 39 is thereby elevated so that the load swings the doors open and dumps to the ground.

During the elevation of the frame 40, the button 45 moves upward to its uppermost position, the spring mounting of the button enabling it to pass the rib 5| freely. When the frame 40 is released, the button falls back to its intermediate position, which is above the rib SI as is best shown in Fig. 8. It will be noted that the dog 84 is still in the latched condition shown in Fig. 7 and this condition may be maintained as long as desired, and particularly until the wagon can be moved awayfrom the dumped load so that the doors may be closed again. When it is desired to close the door again, the lanyard is again pulled or the handle 49 is again elevated and thepa'wl 39 being weight- .ed swings outwardly again so that it resumes its normal position when the frame 43 is allowed to return to its initial position. When the frame 40 is thus returned to its initial position, the button 45 moves downwardly into contact with the rib SI of the latch element 62. The spring '46 which presses the button outwardly is compressed by the nut 41 so as to apply suflicient force to the button 45 to enable it .to actuate the latch member 62 against the compressive force applied by the spring I00 and against the friction of the nose of the dog 84 with the tooth 93 so that it is able to swing the latch member to disengage the nose 94 from the tooth 93,'allowing'the dog 84 again to engage the ratchet wheel 63. It will now be understood that when the wagon is moved the housing 64 will be oscillated and the dog 84 will rotate the'ratchet wheel 63 so as to wind the drum 25 to bring the doors to the closed position. When the doors are closed, the excessive force will again move- ;located beyond the housing the dog 84 away. from the ratchet wheel '63 with the result that itis locked out of operating condition by means of the latch element 62. 5

In the embodiment of the inventionillustrated in Figs. 13 to 20 inclusive, the. general relation of the door .operator is substantially similar. The automatic mechanism is however somewhat different as will appear in the following detailed description. The means for deriving reciprocating movement from the Wheel structure maybe substantially the same, with the exception that the spring 83 shown in Fig. 1 may be omitted and its place may be taken by a spring I05 which will hereinafter be referred to in greater detail. In this embodiment the drum 25 has a spindle which projects through the bearing 33 and carries rigidly beyond this bearing the ratchet wheel 63 just as in the first described embodiment of the invention. A housing IDS is pivotally mounted, the housing having a boss I31 which rotates upon the shaft of the drum 25 enclosing within it the ratchet wheel 63. This ratchet wheel 63 is operatively engaged by a dog I08. It may be here noted that the engagement of the dog I98 with the ratchet wheel 63 is somewhat different than the engagement of the dog 81 with the similar ratchet wheel in the embodiment first described, because in the first described embodiment the engaging surfaces of the dog and'ratchet wheel were such that the dog jumped out automatically when it became'overloaded. In the present embodiment separate means are provided which, in response to overload, elevate the dog I08 into an operative position.

The driving rod 53 is pivotally connected to an arm 79 which in turn is mounted upon a shaft I59 in alignment with and separate from the shaft of the drum 25. One end of the shaft I09 is supported in a bearing on a bracket I I0 secured to the wagon wall. The other end of the shaft I09 is rigidly secured to a housing member I II provided with an annular lip H2 whereby the housing member III i rotatably supported on the end of the shaft of the drum 25. The housing member III is provided with diametrical openings, which do not however extend completely through said member, which openings are located at right angles to each other and which are spaced apart in the axial direction of the housing member. These openings receive plungers H3 and H4. The plunger H3 extends through the shaft I09 and part of it extends through a diametrical slot I I5 in the inner end of this shaft. The slot I I5 is parallel to the axis of the plunger H4 and receives in free sliding relation 2. horizontal pin H6 which projects horizontally from the plunger I I4 to the right as viewed in Fig. 13. The free extremity of the pin H6 enters an oblique slot H! in the plunger us. i The obliquity of the slot 'I I I is such that the outward movement of the plunger H4 causes an outward movement of the plunger I I 3. The plunger I I3 is I06 and it is adapted to engage with a dog I I8 as will hereinafter be more fully described. The plunger H4 is provided at its inner end with a spring H9 which normally tends to press this plunger outwardly. When the mechanism is operating for the purpose of closing the doors, the plunger H4 occupies a relatively inward position as shown in Fig. 16, being held in this position by the nose of a dog I20 which is pivotally mounted on the housing I06. The nose of the dog I20 enters into an opening IZI in the housing II I, which opening is somewhat larger than theplunger H4 so that the same may project freely thereinto when the I are adapted to contact as shown in Fig. 16 and they are located in slightly obtuse relation to the line joining them to the pivotal axis of the dog I20. In practice I have found that these surfaces should make an angle around 98 Or 100 with the line joining them to the pivotal axis of the dog I20. This angle will of course depend upon the strength of the spring I24 which normally forces the dog I into the opening I21. The compressive force applied to this spring can be adjusted by means of a screw I threadedly mounted in the housing I06 and secured in desired position of adjustment by means of a nut I23. The upper end of the spring I24 encircles a reduced end of the screw I25 and the .lower end of the spring I24 extends into a socket or opening formed in the upper surface of the dog I20. The dog I08 and I20 are resiliently connected together so that the former is resiliently operated from the latter. The resilient connection may comprise an upstanding rod I21 rigidly carried by the dog I20. The upper end of the rod I21 is bent into horizontal position and extends into an eye at the end of a rod I29. The rod I23 extends through an opening in a pin I29 carried by the dog I03 and projects below this pin for a substantial distance. On either side of the pin I29 the rod I28 is provided with helical springs. These springs are held in the desired condition of tension by means of a nut !30 at the lower end of the rod I28. The spring I24 is relatively strong and when the dog I20 is in door closing operating position, as shown in Fig. 16, the rod I21 compresses the upper spring on the rod I28 so that the dog I08 is strongly forced towards the ratchet wheel 63 as it passes over the teeth thereof during the oscillatory movements of the housing I06. When, however, the dog I20 is in its elevated position, as shown in Fig. 17, the rod I21 applies an upward compressive force on the lower spring I28, which force effects the elevation of the dog E38 immediately the load thereon is released in the manner hereinafter described.

I provide a spring I3I around the lip 2 for the purpose of returning the housing I06 into the position shown in Fig. 18 when the drive i antomatically terminated by the'closing of the door. This spring is anchored respectively to the housing member III and to a web I32 inside the housing I08. A stop screw I39 serves to provide an adjustable normal position for the housing The coil spring I05, which is mounted around the shaft I09 beyond the housing member II I, as shown in Fig. 13, has one end secured to the housing member I I I. The other end is secured to a rotatable member I33 mounted on the shaft I09 adjacent the bracket I 40. The member I33 has a plurality of radial openings I34 whereby the torsion of the spring 505 can be adjusted, by rotating the member I33 in the appropriate direction to the desired extent. The spring I 05 is held at desired torsion by means of a pin I35 which extends through an opening I36 in the bracket I I0 into the appropriate opening I34 in the member I33. The pin :35 is locked in position by means of a pin I31. The spring I05 is preferably enclosed by a cylindrical housing I38, which is preferably secured to the housing member I II latter.

which is free to rotate with respect to the member I33.

It will be understood that in this embodiment of the invention the load is held against dumping by means of a dog 39 which engages a ratchet wheel 36 at the other end of the drum from the ratchet -63, just as in the embodiment of the invention first described. The raising of the do 39 for the dumping of the load causes a shaft4l to rotate. This shaft extends behind and beyond the housing I06 and is provided with a bearing in a housing I40. Within this housing a finger I4! is rigidly mounted on the shaft 4!. The finger I4I is adapted to engage a finger I42 which is pivotally mounted on a pin I43, which in turn is mounted in the housing I40. The dog I I8 previously referred to is also pivotally mounted on the pin I43. This dog is provided with a tail I44 which normally engages the rear wall of the housing I40 as seen in Figs. 14 and 15. The dog IIB and finger I42 are provided with projections I45 and I46 respectively which are adapted normally to make contact shown in Figs. 14 and 15. These contacts are so related that the finger I42 may rotate in counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figs. 14 and. 15 independently of the dog II8. On the other hand movement of the finger I42 in clockwise direction as viewed in these figures causes a similar movement on the part of the dog IIB owing to the engagement of the projection I 40 against the projection I45. A resilient connection is provided between the dog I I8 and finger I43, which causes the projections I45 and I46 to remain in contact. This means may suitably comprise a torsion spring I41 housed within a chamber formed in the hub of the finger I42, said spring having ends extending into openings in the finger I42 and in the dog I I8 respectively. I

The operation of this embodiment is as follows:

Assuming that the wagon is loaded, the load is supported on the doors by the pawl 39 which is in engagement with the ratchet wheel 33. The plungers I I3 and H4 are in their outermost position as shown in Fig. 15 and the housing I03 is in the position shown in Figs. 14, 15 and 18, being held by the spring I3! in the extreme position determined by the set screw I39. The doors are now released in suitable manner, for example, by pulling a lanyard in the previous described embodiment, which has the effect of rotating the shaft 4| in the clockwise direction as viewed in Figs. 14 and 15. This movement of the shaft 4| elevates the pivotal support of the pawl 39 whereupon the weight of the load acting on the drum 25 causes this drum to rotate, carrying the pawl 39 with it. The relative position of the pawl 39 and the ratchet wheel 36 is that shown in Fig. 5. The clockwise movement of the shaft 4I causes the finger I4! to rotate in clockwise direction from the position shown in full lines in Figs. 14 and 15, passing the finger I42, the same being permitted by the resilient connection between the finger I42 and dog II8, without disturbing the Owing to the engagement of the pawl 39 with the ratchet wheel 33, the shaft 4| does not make a full return, but is left in the position which locates the finger I4i in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 15. Apart from the change of position of the finger I4I the windup mechanism to the right of the drum 25, as viewed in Fig. 13, remains unchanged. The doors lie wide open so that the wagon can be removed clear of the dumped load and this condition can be continued as long as desired.

In order to close the doors, it is necessary to pull the lanyard or other actuating means again which has the result of rotating the shaft M in the clockwise direction as viewed in Figs. 14 and 15. The first result of this movement is to permit the dog 39 to return by gravity to cooperative relation with the ratchet wheel 36. That is the dog 39 returns to the position shown in Fig. 4 when the lanyard is released. Release of the lanyard permits counterclockwise rotation of the shaft 4| as viewed in Fig. 15, so that the finger MI passes through its dotted line position shown in this figure into its full line position. In so doing, the finger I M swings the finger I '32 in the clockwise direction, as viewed in this figure, with the result that the dog I I8 is lifted away from the plunger I I3. Immediately when this occurs, the torsion spring I05 causes the housing member III to rotate in the clockwise direction as viewed in these figures. Up to this time the dog I has been resting upon the peripheral surface of the housing member II I, as shown in Fig. 17.

When the housing member III rotates in the a clockwise direction as has just been mentioned, the opening IZI therein is carried around to a position underneath the nose of the dog I26. Under the influence of the stron spring I24, the nose of the dog I20 enters this opening and presses the plunger H4 against the compression of the spring I I9. The engagement of the pin I IS with the slot II I causes a simultaneous retraction of the plunger I I3 out of the path of the dog I I 8, a condition illustrated in Fig. 14.

The clockwise movement ofthe housing member III under the action of the spring I 05, as just described, has the efiectof moving the arm II and rod I2 so as to carry the driving linkage into contact with the cam I8 along the wheel structure with the result that the housing member III is now oscillated clockwise and counterclockwise. The connection between the dog I20 and the housing III consequently causes the housing I06 to oscillate in the same manner. The dog I08 carried by the housing I06 likewise oscillates and slips over the teeth of the ratchet 63 in the clockwise movement of the housing I06, as viewed in Figs. 14 to 1'7 inclusive. When the housing moves in the opposite direction, the ratchet wheel 63 is rotated forcibly and the drum is also rotated in a direction to wind up the cables 23 and close the doors 2!. The dog 39 prevents reverse motionof the drum 25 during the winding up of the doors. This process continues automatically until the doors are closed and thereupon a very substantial overload is applied by the housing III upon the dog I20. Owing to the obliquity of the contacting surfaces I22 and I23 of the housing member III and the dog I20 respectively, this dog is forced upwardly from the position shown in Fig. 16 into the position shown in Fig. 17 and the nose of the dog I20 rides over the peripheral surface of the housing II I as shown in the latter figure. The elevation of the dog I20 causes the projection of the plungers H4 and H3 so that the latter is again brought into the path of the dog II8. When the housing member IHI moves into its extreme position, which corresponds with the position of contact of the actuating linkage with the highest part of the cam on the Wheel, the plunger I I3 moves past the dog H8 and is held thereby. This condition is illustrated in Fig, 15

and it will be understood when the parts are in v this position, the actuating linkage, including the rod I2, lever II, shaft I09 and housing member III are at rest and remain at rest until the lanyard or other manual actuating means is manipulated so as to cause the load to dump in the manner described above.

Although the invention has been disclosed in connection with the specific details of preferred embodiments thereof, it must be understood that such details are not intended to be limitative of the invention except in so far as set forth in the accompanying claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A door operator for dump wagons comprising flexible means for closing the door, a drum adapted to be rotated to wind up said flexible means to close the door, reciprocable driving means for actuating said drum, a latch for holding the door closed, clutch elements between said reciprocable driving means and the drum adapted I to release on overload, and a latch member auto matically released by the release of the clutch members for maintaining the clutch members in released condition.

2. A door operator for dump wagons comprising flexible means for closing the door, a drum adapted to be rotated to Wind up said flexible means to close the door, driving means for actuating the drum including clutch elements adapted to release on overload, a latch for hold-' ing the door closed when the clutch elements are released, and a latch member automatically released by the release of the clutch members for maintaining the clutch elements in released condition.

3. A door operator for dump wagons compris-' ing flexible means for closing the door, a drum adapted to be rotated to wind up said flexible means to closethe door, reciprocable driving means for actuating said drum, a latch for ho1ding the door closed, clutch elements between said reciprocable driving means and the drum adapted to release on overload, a latch for maintaining the clutch members in released condition, and manually operable means for releasing said latches to permit the door to open and topermit the clutch members to engage.

4. A door operator for dump wagons comprising flexible means for closing the door, a drum adapted to be rotated to wind up said flexible means to close the door, driving means for actuating the drum including clutch elements adapted to release on overload, a latch for holding the door closed, a latch for. maintaining the clutch elements in released condition, and manually operable means for releasing said latches to permit the door to openand to permit the clutch members to engage.

5. A door operator for dump wagons compris ing flexible means for closing'the door, a drum adapted to be rotated to wind up said flexible means to close the door, driving means for actuating said drum including clutch elements adapted to release on overload, a latch for holding the door closed, a latch for holding the clutch members in released condition, manually operable means for releasing said latches, and means associated with the door holding latch preventing the release of the clutch latch simultaneously with the release of the door holding latch.

6. A door operator for dump wagons comprising flexible means for closin the door, a drum adapted to be rotated to wind up said flexible means to close the door, driving means for actuating said drum including clutch elements adapted to release on overload, ratchet means carried by said drum, a dog engaging said ratchet means to hold the door closed, a latch for maintaining the clutch elements in released condition, manually operable means for releasing the dog, and latch means engaged by said dog when car ried through by the ratchet after its release for preventing operation of the latch.

'7. In combination, a wagon having supporting wheel elements and a door, mechanical means for closing the door including reciprocable means, a cam member on one of the wheel elements adapted to reciprocate said means, and automatic means operable on the closing of the door for arresting said reciprocable means.

8. In combination, a wagon having a door and elongated supporting wheel elements pivotally mounted at an intermediate position on said wagon, each wheel element comprising a continuous track and rotary means supporting the track, means for actuating the door comprising a downwardly extending lever pivotally mounted on the wagon, and a cam element on one of said rotary track supporting means for actuating said lever.

9. In combination, in a wagon having a door, a drum provided with flexible members for closing the door, ratchet means on said drum, a dog for holding said ratchet means to keep the door from opening, a manually operable member carrying said dog whereby said dog may be disengaged, an oscillating housing, a dog pivotally mounted thereon adapted to engage said ratchet means, a latch pivotally mounted on said housing to hold last said dog out of engagement with the ratchet means, said latch having an elongated tail, and means movable with said member'to engage the latch to release the last said dog.

10. A door operator for dump wagons comprising fiexible meansfor closing the'door, a drum adapted to be rotated to wind up said flexible means to close the door, a reciprocable driving means for actuating said drum, a latch for holding the door closed, clutch elements between said reciprocable driving means and the drum adapted to release on overload, means for maintaining the clutch members in released condition,

and means associated with the clutch members Y for holding the reciprocable driving means inoperative when said members are in released condition.

11. A door operator for dump wagons compris ing flexible means for closing the door, a drum adapted to be rotated to wind up said flexible means to close the door, driving means for actu ating the drum, clutch elements between said driving means and the drum adapted to release on overload, a latch for holding the door closed when the clutch elements are released, means for maintaining the clutch elements in released condition, and automatic means actuated by the release of the clutch elements for holding the driving mechanism inoperative when the clutch elements are released.

12. In a door operator for wagons, in combination, a drum adapted to be operated to close the doors, a cam on a wheel of the wagon, a member adapted to contact the cam to bereciprocated thereby upon movement of'the wagon, a clutch between the reciprocable member and the drum whereby the member may drive the drum to close the wagon doors, and automatic means operably associated with the clutch for (iii maintaining said member out of reciprocatory contact with the cam when the clutch is in released condition.

13. In combination, a wagon having support-' ing wheel elements and a door, mechanical means for closing the door including reciprocable means, a cam member on one of the wheel elements adapted to reciprocate said means, and automatic means operable on overload to maintain said reciprocable means inoperative.

14. A mechanical windup for wagons comprising a drum, ratchet means on said drum, a dog engaging said ratchet means to hold the drum against unwinding, a second dog adapted to engage said ratchet means to effect the windup of the drum, a reciprocating member on which said second dog is mounted, a drive for said reciprocating member, including a third dog movable on overload, and means connecting the second and third dogs together whereby the second said dog is rendered inoperative preparatory to release of the drum.

15. A mechanical windup for wagons comprising a drum, ratchet means on said drum, a dog engaging said ratchet means to hold the drum against unwinding, a second dog adapted to engage said ratchet means to effect the windup of the drum, a reciprocating member on which said second dog is mounted, a drive for said reciprocating member, including a third dog mounted on said reciprocating member, said third dog being automatically releasing on overload, and means resiliently connecting the second and third dogs together whereby the second dog is disengaged from the ratchet means by said release.

16. A mechanical windup for wagons compris ing a drum, ratchet means on said drum, a dog engaging said ratchet means to hold the drum against unwinding, a second dog adapted to engage said ratchet means to efiect the windupoi the drum, a reciprocating member on which said second dog is mounted, a drive for said member actuated from a wagon wheel, a clutch including a third dog movable on overload, means connecting said second and third dogs together whereby the second said dog is rendered inoperative, and means associated with the clutch for holding said drive inoperative.

1'7. A mechanical windup for wagons comprising a drum, ratchet means on said drum, a dog engaging said ratchet means to hold the drum against unwinding, a second dog adapted to engage said ratchet means to eflect the windup of the drum, a reciprocating member on which said second dog is mounted, a drive for said member actuated from a wagon wheel, a clutch including a third dog movable on overload, means connecting said second and third dogs together whereby the second said dog is rendered inoperative, means associated with the clutch for holding said drive inoperative, and a manually operable member for disconnecting last said means.

18. A door operator for dump wagons, comprising flexible means for closing the door. a drum adapted to be rotated to wind up said flexible means to close the door, driving means for actuating the drum operable by the running gear of the wagon, clutch element between said driving means and the drum adapted to release on overload, a latch for holding the door closed when the clutch elements are released, means for maintaining the clutch elements in released condition, and automatic means actuated on the release of the clutch elements for holding the driving mechanism inoperative when the clutch ele-' ments are released.

19. In a door operator for wagons, in combination, a drum adapted to be operated to close the door, a reciprocating drive therefor operated from a wheel of the wagon, a clutch between the reciprocating drive and the drum, and automatic means operably associated with the clutch for rendering said drive non-reciprocating when the clutch releases.

20. In combination, a wagon having supporting wheels and a door, mechanical means for closing the door including reciprocable means, a cam member actuated by one of the wheels adapted to reciprocate said reciprocable means, and automatic means operable on the closing of the door for arresting said reciprocable means.

21. In combination, a wagon having supporting wheels and a door, mechanical means for closing the door including reciprocable means, a cam member driven by one of the wheels adapted to reciprocate said reciprocable means, and automatic means operable on overload to maintain said reciprocable means inoperative.

22. A door operator for wagons having wheels, comprising flexible means for closing the door, a drum adapted to be rotated to wind up said flexible means to close the door, a ratchet operably connected to said drum, means for holding the drum against door opening movement during the closing of the door, an oscillating drive member operated by one of the wheels, 2. dog actuated by the oscillating drive member to operate the ratchet to wind up the drum, yieldable means subjected to the driving force adapted to yield on overload, and latch means controlled by said yieldable means for holding the oscillating drive member inoperative after overload.

23. A door operator for wagons having wheels, comprising flexible means for closing the door, a drum adapted to be rotated to wind up said flexible means to close the door, a ratchet operably connected to said drum, means for holding the drum against door opening movement during the closing of the door, an oscillating drive member operated by one of the wheels, a dog actuated by the oscillating drive member to operate the ratchet to wind up the drum, yieldable means subjected to the driving force adapted to yield on overload, latch means controlled by said yieldable means for holding the oscillating drive member inoperative after overload, and manual means for releasing said latch means.

24. In a dump vehicle, a dump body having a swinging door, automatic means for moving said doorto a closed position by travel of the vehicle including a cam on a vehicle wheel and means cooperating therewith, and a spring load device for rendering said cooperating means inactive upon movement of the door to a fully closed position.

25. In a dump vehicle including a body having a hinged door, means for automatically closing said door by the travel of a vehicle including a wheel operated cam and a lever adapted to engage said cam and be reciprocated thereby, means for holding the lever out of engagement with the cam when the doors have been moved to a fully closed position, and manual means for returning the lever to its normal position when it is again desired to close the door after opening.

26. In a dump vehicle, a vehicle body having a dump door, a cable for closing said door when a pull is exerted thereon, a drum for winding up said cable to exert said pull, a rock shaft, a rotatable cam operable upon travel of the vehicle, a lever connected to said rock shaft and normally engaging the periphery of the cam, a ratchet wheel connected to the drum, a dog normally engaging said ratchet, a spring load device operatively connecting the rock shaft to said dog, and means for moving the lever out of engagement with the periphery of the cam when a predetermined tension is exceeded in said spring load device.

27. In a wheeled vehicle having a dumping door, a cable for closing said door and a drum controlling said cable, means providing winding drive of said drum by traveling motion of said vehicle, operator-operable means for initiating said drive, means for automatically maintaining said drive upon its initiation, means responsive to tension in said cable for automatically terminating said drive when said door attains closed position, and means for releasably retaining said drum in a wound position.

28. In a wheeled vehicle having a dumping door, a cable for closing said door and a drum controlling said cable, means providing winding drive of said drum by traveling motion of said vehicle, operator-operated means for initiating said drive, means for automatically maintaining said drive upon its initiation, means responsive to tension in said cable for automatically terminating said drive when said door attains closed position, and means efiective to releasably retain said door in said closed position.

29. In a dump vehicle including a body having a hinged door and a wheel element, drive means arranged for cooperation with the wheel element for automatically returning the door to its closed position by the travel of the vehicle, and means responsive to excessive drive force in said drive means for rendering all of said door closing means inactive when the door reaches a stationary position.

30. In a dump vehicle including a body having a hinged door and a wheel element, drive means arranged to cooperate with the wheel element for automatically returning the door to its closed position by the travel of the vehicle, means responsive to excessive drive force in said drive means for rendering all of said door closing means inactive when the door reaches a stationary position, and manual means for returning the door closing means to active condition.

31. In a dump vehicle including a body having a dump door and a wheel element, a cable for jreturning said door to closed position when pull is exerted on said cable, a drum for winding up said cable to exert said pull, means arranged for cooperation with said wheel element during travel of the vehicle for rotating the drum in one direction to wind up said cable, and means responsive to increased tension in said cable for rendering said drum rotating means inactive when a predetermined tension is reached.

32. In a dump vehicle, a body having a dumping door, a cable for closing said door when a pull is exerted thereon, a drum for winding up said cable for exerting said pull, a rotatable cam operable during movement of the vehicle, a rock shaft, a lever operatively connected thereto adapted to engage said cam for actuating the rock shaft during the rotation of the cam, means operatively connecting the rock shaft with the drum for rotating said drum in a step by step movement, and means for holding the lever out of engagement with the cam after the cable has been fully wound upon said drum.

33. In a dump vehicle including a body, a pair of dump doors hingedly connected to the body at their outer longitudinal edges, guide pulleys carried by the inner longitudinal edges of the door, a pair of pull cables secured to the forward end of the body and trained over said pulleys,

a drum for winding up said cables for closing said member may be brought into operative relation with said wheel to effect the closing of the door, and automatic means responsive to build up of excessive force in said door operator for moving said wheel engaging member out of cooperative relation With said wheel when the door reaches a stationary position.

35. In a dump vehicle including a body having a hinged door and a wheel element, drive means arranged for cooperation with the wheel element for automatically returning the door to its closed position by the travel of the vehicle and means responsive to excessive drive force in said drive means for automatically terminating its drive when the door attains a stationary position.

JOSEPH KUCHAR. 

